But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

1 SAMUEL 20:39KJV
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1 Samuel 20:39 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 20:39 mean?

1 Samuel 20:39 means that the boy who was sent to retrieve the arrows did not understand the secret message being exchanged; only Jonathan and David knew the true significance of what was happening. The verse highlights that the communication between Jonathan and David was hidden from everyone else present.

Jonathan had arranged a secret signal with David to let him know if it was safe to return or if he needed to flee from King Saul. In this verse, Jonathan’s young servant is simply carrying out his task, unaware of the deeper meaning behind Jonathan’s actions. The verse emphasizes the secrecy and trust between Jonathan and David in a dangerous situation.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 20:39

  • "lad" (נַעַר, naʿar): This word means a young boy or servant. In this context, it shows that the person involved was likely too young or uninformed to grasp the situation, reinforcing the secrecy.
  • "knew" (יָדַע, yadaʿ): This word means to know or understand. The verse uses it to stress that only Jonathan and David were aware of the real plan, while the boy was completely in the dark.
  • "matter" (דָּבָר, davar): This word often means "word," "thing," or "matter." Here, it refers to the secret arrangement or message between Jonathan and David, underlining that the true purpose was hidden from the boy.

Why 1 Samuel 20:39 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Jonathan and David’s plan was carefully concealed, protecting David from danger by ensuring no one else knew what was happening.
  • It highlights the loyalty and trust between Jonathan and David, showing how they worked together to keep David safe from Saul.
  • This detail helps the reader understand the tension and risk in the story, as even those present were kept unaware to maintain secrecy.

Where else these words appear

“thing” Hebrew H3972 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
  • 1 Samuel 12:4 And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.
  • 1 Kings 10:21 And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.

“Jonathan” Hebrew H3083 · used in 73 verses

  • Judges 18:30 And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.
  • 1 Samuel 20:28 And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:
  • 2 Samuel 9:6 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!